The public verdict on the Chagos handover is already in. In less than 12 hours from launch, our petition demanding that Parliament block ratification of the deal raced past 3,000 signatures overnight — a striking measure of the anger building across the country over this controversial agreement.
The petition urges MPs to throw out the deal that would cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, raising alarm over racism, national sovereignty, environmental destruction, the burden on taxpayers, and the abandonment of the Chagossian people.
While the UK Government has signed the agreement, Parliament has not yet ratified it. As it stands, the deal would surrender control of the Chagos Archipelago — a vital British Overseas Territory — with no lawful consultation, no public mandate, and no guarantees for the Chagossian people, many of whom hold British citizenship. MPs are due to vote on it in a few weeks time.
“There is no way to describe the Chagos deal other than a complete surrender of British territory — without a single shot fired,” said Ben Habib, Chairman of the Great British PAC. “It is a betrayal of our country and of Chagossians.”
Beyond the financial cost — which the petition warns runs to billions in taxpayer money — it cautions that the agreement endangers one of the planet's most pristine marine ecosystems, a sanctuary for endangered whales, turtles, and migratory species.
Claire Bullivant, CEO of the Great British PAC, issued a powerful call to action:
“This is the last chance saloon. MPs must understand: the British people are not happy. This deal is undemocratic, environmentally catastrophic, and politically shameful. It must be stopped. We are watching closely and we will remember how every single MP votes.”
Support has come from right across the political spectrum, rallying around the shared principles of justice, national sovereignty, and protecting the environment. As the signatory count climbs and public pressure mounts, we are pressing Parliament to act decisively and stop the deal being ratified.
Our warning is blunt: history will not look kindly on those who vote to abandon the Chagossians and give up strategic UK territory under pressure from foreign interests.
Petition Highlights
- Calls on Parliament to stop the handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius;
- Opposes billions in UK taxpayer funding with no democratic consent;
- Demands protection for the Chagossian people and their right to return home;
- Seeks to preserve one of the most ecologically vital ocean habitats in the world;
- Insists on accountability from every MP involved in the vote.
The full petition can be signed here: https://petitionplatform.co.uk/savechagos
